Government Prof. Denied Tenure

Jayne Associate Professor of Government Mark A. Peterson was denied tenure by a Government Department committee, the junior scholar was informed earlier this month.

In an interview yesterday, Peterson, whose case came under review last semester, said he was informed of the decision earlier this month.

"In many respects it has been very enjoyable," said Peterson, who has been a member of the government faculty for seven years. "It is limited by the fact that you know and your senior colleague know that [junior faculty will likely not be promoted].

Peterson, a former head tutor, teaches departmental tutorials and a popular course on the American Presidency. As an instructor, Peterson garnered a 4.6 out of five points in the most recent edition of the Course Evaluation Guide.

Peterson was head tutor of the Government Department form 1987 to 1990. White he served in this role the department grew from the fourth largest in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences to the largest, he said.

An associate of Leverett House, Peterson said that Harvard is unique because of a "certain sense of community about the undergraduate program, about the graduate program that makes one want to participate in that process."

But, Peterson said his decision to become highly involved in Harvard may have ultimately hurt his chances of receiving tenure.

"The more you invest in being part of the community takes you away from investing the time more exclusively in scholastics," he said. "Scholatics, in the end, has to be the final measure of how you're evaluated for promotion."

Peterson said that in light of Harvard's history of tenuring few of its own junior professor, he was not surprised that he did not receive a tenure offer.

"From the first day [they] walk in the door," said, assistant professors are aware that their days at Harvard are probably numbered.

But Peterson said the University's policy has "negative consequences for the rhythm and consistency of the program for the department, and perhaps for the students as well."

He said the relatively rapid turnover of junior professors makes it difficult for fellow faculty members to forge lasting relationships. The junior scholar criticized the University's efforts with younger academics, and called Harvard's policy "frustrating... you know that you're in a position where you're tenureable at other universities, but not at Harvard."

Peterson's past and present students interviewed yesterday said they were disappointed that the government professor was denied tenure.

"It generally reflects Harvard's overemphasis on publishing, rather than teaching," said Harry J. Wilson '93, who took Peterson's American Presidency course as a first-year, and said his experience encouraged him to concentrate in Government.

"Harvard loses bright young scholars because it doesn't pay attention to their teaching abilities," Wil son said.

Julie K. Orsinger '93, who took Peterson'sjunior government tutorial, agreed. "He's such awonderful professor," she said. "It's unfortunatethat a lot of really good government professors,who are good teachers don't become to tenured."

Orsinger called many senior governmentprofessors "research oriented...it seems like theUniversity will only give tenure to those kinds ofprofessor and not the true teachers."

Orsinger said Peterson was a friendly andpersonable tutor, recalling that he held the lasttutorial installment in his Belmont home. She saidshe is currently taking his American Presidencycourse, which is held in a "chock-full" Emerson105.

Peterson in the author of LegislatingTogether: The White House and Capitol Hill fromEisenhower to Reagan, published in 1990. Hehas also written article and chapters in otherpublications, and is currently working on twobooks, he said.

The junior scholar came to Harvard shortlyafter he received his Ph.D. from the Universityof Michigan in 1985.

Peterson will remain at Harvard next year whilehe seeks a tenured position at another university

Julie K. Orsinger '93, who took Peterson'sjunior government tutorial, agreed. "He's such awonderful professor," she said. "It's unfortunatethat a lot of really good government professors,who are good teachers don't become to tenured."

Orsinger called many senior governmentprofessors "research oriented...it seems like theUniversity will only give tenure to those kinds ofprofessor and not the true teachers."

Orsinger said Peterson was a friendly andpersonable tutor, recalling that he held the lasttutorial installment in his Belmont home. She saidshe is currently taking his American Presidencycourse, which is held in a "chock-full" Emerson105.

Peterson in the author of LegislatingTogether: The White House and Capitol Hill fromEisenhower to Reagan, published in 1990. Hehas also written article and chapters in otherpublications, and is currently working on twobooks, he said.

The junior scholar came to Harvard shortlyafter he received his Ph.D. from the Universityof Michigan in 1985.

Peterson will remain at Harvard next year whilehe seeks a tenured position at another university